Under the general supervision of the Director of Student Engagement and Success, the Assistant Director, Student Engagement and Success is responsible for developing and cultivating an exceptional Graziadio student life experience through program development and planning, event management, and student organization advisement and support. The Office of Student Engagement and Success (SES) drives initiatives and experiences designed to support, nurture, and enhance the student experience at the Graziadio Business School. As an integral member of SES, the Assistant Director works both independently and collaboratively with students, staff, faculty, and other School/University departments in service of the Pepperdine University mission to strengthen students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership.

Duties

• Student Clubs and Organizations: Oversees all aspects of PGBS student-led clubs and organizations, providing comprehensive support, training, advisement, and student leadership development to student leaders and advisors. Guides student leaders to achieve effective organizational management and create exceptional student involvement opportunities that promote leadership development, school pride, and community. Develops, coordinates, implements, and assesses student leader training in alignment with student learning outcomes. Advises student leaders regarding event planning best practices, succession planning, organizational processes, risk management, and University policies, ensuring excellent service and support for student-led programming. Proactively researches, anticipates and ensures risk management practices and safety procedures are in place for all student-led events consistent with University policy. Develops annual student organization calendar and utilizes the department's student organization management platform to administer the student club and organization registration and budget request process, ensuring all requirements are met. Exercises discretion and independent judgment when responding to student needs, concerns, or conflicts, ensuring student needs are promptly addressed. Serves as co-advisor for the Graziadio Student Advisory Board, creating a meaningful, educational, and fulfilling involvement experience for student members. Provides administrative oversight to the PGBS Student Activity Fee budget and student organization-related expenses, ensuring policy compliance and facilitating student reimbursements and vendor contract payments. Assists the Graziadio Student Advisory Board in allocating student activity fee revenue to student clubs and organizations through a timely, fair, and equitable process. Develops and implements a strategic plan to promote student club and organization involvement to the student body, utilizing a variety of marketing tools, activities, and initiatives.
• Event Management: Oversees the smooth and seamless execution of all pre-event, on-site, and post-event communication, promotion, logistics, and assessment for SES events and programs, including new student orientation, Welcome Week, and annual tradition events. Coordinates and communicates with vendors, presenters, campus partners, and volunteers/peer leaders regarding new student orientation planning and schedules, ensuring stakeholder participation in all aspects of the event.
• Programs and Initiatives: Collaborates with students and University partners to develop, promote, and implement high-quality social, cultural, and informational student programs and initiatives that contribute to a lively, vibrant, and thriving campus culture in which students build community, experience a sense of belonging, and actively participate in co-curricular programs. Strategically develops programmatic objectives, events, and activities that focus on specific learning outcomes based on assessed student needs. Provides a significant contribution to the thematic and programmatic development of new student onboarding programs and initiatives, providing a high level of input based on best practice research, assessment, and student development knowledge to create a welcoming, informative, and exceptional new student experience. Assists in creating and implementing a strategic plan to promote SES programs and services to the student body, utilizing various marketing tools, technology, activities, and initiatives to achieve departmental/School objectives and goals. Actively builds and maintains collaborative, strategic partnerships with University partners to expand the reach and effectiveness of SES programs and initiatives. Maintains knowledge of Pepperdine University resources to refer students to support services as appropriate, including advising, Career and Professional Development, Office of Student Accessibility, Office of International Student Services, Student Care Team, and Counseling Center. Occasionally works during the evenings and weekends to support programming.
• Supervision: Recruits, hires, trains, and supervises student employees as needed, providing an excellent developmental and enriching employment experience. Sets clear goals and objectives for student employees to support a positive learning environment and to meet the needs of a diverse student population. 
• Assessment: Initiates and conducts ongoing assessments to determine program effectiveness and achievement of learning outcomes. Participates in assessment projects with the SES team. Initiates, coordinates, and develops data collection methods, develops learning outcomes, strategically utilizes assessment tools, and develops written reports. Maintains ongoing awareness of technology, trends, patterns, and challenges impacting graduate student engagement and success, using this knowledge to recommend/assist the Director in developing and implementing future initiatives. Maintains accurate and timely records for documenting student involvement, departmental operations, and program impact.
• University and Professional Expectations: Participates in ongoing professional development and attends all staff trainings and meetings. Recommends and develops processes to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of departmental/student service functions. Participates in professional associations to remain apprised of current research and issues pertaining to higher education, new student orientation, assessment, and student development (i.e., NACA, NASPA, NODA, CAS). Supports committees and other programs that promote student success and other department or University initiatives. Maintains confidentiality of student information at all times (as per FERPA). Performs other duties as assigned.
• Uphold University mission through work performed. 

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required: Bachelor’s degree. A minimum of three years of relevant full-time professional experience in a student affairs or student service-related area with evidence of proficiency and potential for further growth. Demonstrated experience working with student organization administration and/or new student orientation and independently advising and training student leaders and groups. Demonstrated experience managing complex, multi-faceted events and communicating effectively with a variety of vendors and campus partners. Ability to work independently and exercise autonomy in planning and organizing work in order to meet competing objectives, priorities, and deadlines; ability to take initiative and work collaboratively within a fast-paced, team-oriented environment with frequent interruptions; demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures; demonstrated ability to analyze complex situations, exercise good judgment, maintain confidentiality, identify solutions and consistently apply policies and procedures; ability to anticipate problems, reconcile conflicts, and maintain a strong philosophical base for student learning and engagement; superior knowledge of event coordination, logistics, risk management principles, and working with vendors; excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; superior customer service skills; strong organizational, time management, prioritization, and administrative capabilities; demonstrated ability to comfortably, professionally, and effectively interact, collaborate, and communicate with diverse stakeholders (students, faculty, staff, senior administrators) within a higher education setting. Highly proficient in a variety of remote communication tools, Google Workspace, MS Office-Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Zoom, file sharing, mobile devices, PC, Mac, phones, scanning, copiers/printers.

Preferred: Graduate degree in education, counseling, or other relevant field. Four or more years of relevant full-time professional experience working in a student affairs or similar student support role serving a diverse student population with varying levels of need. Experience hiring, recruiting, supervising, and training student employees. Experience working with international student populations is highly desired. Experience collaborating with and supporting graduate students; understanding of budget management principles; strategic ability to proactively anticipate and plan for the delivery of annual programs, services, and initiatives according to the academic calendar; understanding of and the ability to apply student development theories to practice; experience in student training and leadership development; competency with data collection and analysis methods to assess learning and achievement. Aptitude for learning and implementing new technologies and devices; experience with 25Live and PeopleSoft; familiarity with a student organization management platform such as Campus Groups or Anthology; demonstrated ability to leverage current and emerging technology tools to enhance student communication and engagement.

Qualified individuals should be able to articulate a strong commitment to diversity, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.

This is a Regular, Exempt, 40 hour per week position that may be eligible for hybrid work in accordance with the University Policy Manual.

Expected Pay Rate: $68,640 per year 

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.